Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Blog Kiosk: 3/15/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Spring Odds and Ends

As you may know, the Great Lakes Loons, a Dodgers Single-A minor league affiliate, won the 2016 MidWest League Championship. Yesterday afternoon the guys got together for a special championship ring ceremony at Camelback Ranch. Above is group picture of the team, via the Loons on twitter. Go here to see even more pics. At right is a closer-up look at the ring.

Below are more links to check out:

This Day in Dodgers Baseball: In 1945 the Dodgers opened their spring camp at Bear Mountain State Park in upstate New York due to wartime travel restrictions. There were real worries that German U-boats would attack the eastern coast of America. This is the third straight year the Dodgers would practice here. In 1975 the Dodgers signed former Giants pitcher Juan Marichal to a free agent contract. He would retire from the game a little over a month later on April 17th.

I was disappointed to learn that the Kings did NOT wear Dodger-themed jersey's during their pregame skate for Dodger Pride Night yesterday. Boo! However, both Dennis Powell and Manny Mota were in attendance to drop the opening puck, as evidenced by the photo below that was shared by the Kings on twitter:

"He really didn't have command of any of his pitches,”
manager Dave Roberts said. “Results withstanding, Rich didn't have a
good feel today.”

So far this spring, Hill has 10 walks in 8⅔ innings to go with his seven strikeouts, and a 7.27 ERA.

"I don't think I've ever really had a great spring
training. Though at the same time, you do want to see some good
results,” Hill said. “Today there were some good pitches thrown, and I
can take that into this week and get ready for the next outing.”

Per Keith Law at ESPN; "Dodgers prospect Mitch White could be the 2016 draft's top pitcher."

The Dodgers took right-handed starter Mitch White in the second round of
the 2016 MLB draft out of Santa Clara University, where he was a
redshirt sophomore and had just completed his first season as a starting
pitcher. White went with the 65th overall pick in that draft, but if
teams redrafted today, he might go in the top five overall.

So when the Dodgers describe Puig as more mature or in a better place,
understand they are still grading on a curve. What they are not doing
any longer, they insist, is being held hostage by his potential talent
or popularity. The Dodgers plan to begin the season with Puig as their
regular right fielder, but even as arguably his biggest supporter,
manager Dave Roberts said, “My message to him was clear: If he is not
performing or he loses his focus, he is going to create opportunities
for others, but that is the way it is for everyone.”

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Blue Heaven In The News

“There’s nothing like wearing a Dodger jersey. There’s nothing like it in sports. I don’t care that I’ve never been anywhere else. I don’t care. There’s nothing like wearing a Dodger jersey.” -- A.J. Ellis